Non-Immigrant Visas
Crew Visas C-1/D
For professionals who sail the seas or the skies, the C-1/D Visa is the essential document for entering ports and airports of the United States.
Miami is one of the world's busiest cruise ports and a premier aviation hub. Attorney Jesus Reyes understands the specific requirements of crew visas and helps pilots, mariners, and cabin staff obtain and renew their immigration credentials with accuracy and efficiency.
What are C-1 and D visas?
The C-1 Visa is a transit visa that allows foreign nationals to pass through the United States en route to another destination. It is not designed for extended stays, but rather for temporary layovers at U.S. ports or airports.
The D Visa is the specific visa for crew members of vessels or aircraft that arrive at U.S. ports or airports in the performance of their professional duties. It allows crew to temporarily disembark while their ship or aircraft is in port or on the ground.
In practice, USCIS and consulates frequently issue the C-1/D combination, which covers both situations and is the standard credential for the vast majority of cruise ship and airline crew members who operate in or to the U.S.
Who can apply for the C-1/D Visa?
This visa is available to individuals who meet the following requirements:
- Being an active crew member of a vessel or aircraft operating routes that include U.S. ports or airports.
- Holding a current employment contract with a recognized shipping company, airline, or transport operator.
- No intention of immigrating permanently or working in activities unrelated to your role as a crew member.
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the duration of the requested visa.
- Demonstrating ties to your home country that ensure your return at the end of each stopover or voyage.
Application process
Document review
Attorney Jesus Reyes verifies your employment contract, shipping company or airline documents, passport, and immigration history to prepare your application.
Complete the DS-160
The DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form is prepared and submitted, including all details about your role and employer.
Consular interview
The interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy in your country of residence is scheduled and prepared, with guidance on typical questions.
Visa issuance and use
Once approved, the visa is stamped in your passport. Attorney Jesus Reyes explains the exact limits of your entry and stay authorization at each stopover.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work onshore in the U.S. with a D Visa?+
No. The D Visa only authorizes activities directly related to your duties as a crew member. Any onshore employment unconnected to the ship or aircraft constitutes a violation of status.
How long can I stay in the U.S. with this visa?+
The D Visa permits a stay of up to 29 days per stopover. This period begins on the day of disembarkation and cannot extend beyond the time your vessel or aircraft remains at the port or airport.
What happens if my visa expires while I am ashore?+
The visa expiration date in your passport indicates until when you can use the visa to enter, not how long you can stay. If your authorized stay expires, you must leave the country. Attorney Jesus Reyes can advise you on how to handle these situations.
What if I am denied the C-1/D visa at the consulate?+
A denial under section 214(b) (failure to demonstrate non-immigrant intent or sufficient ties to your home country) or 221(g) (incomplete documentation) is common for cruise crew. After a denial, you can reapply with additional evidence: a signed contract with the cruise line, employer letter, proof of prior successful crew travel, and family or economic ties at home. If the denial was for inadmissibility grounds, a waiver may be required. We advise on the best strategy to reapply.
Do cruises departing from Miami require this visa for all foreign crew?+
Yes. All foreign crew members who disembark at U.S. ports, including Miami, must hold a valid C-1/D Visa or an applicable exemption under specific treaties or agreements.
Your situation has a solution.
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